Assistant Coach for Debate

Liberty University, Inc.; Lynchburg (VA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Liberty University is seeking an Assistant Coach for Debate to help develop students' debate skills, guide practice sessions, and participate in tournaments both on campus and at other locations throughout the academic year.

The role involves frequent weekend travel, assisting with tournament activities, and supporting students in research and argument construction. A four-year degree and debate experience are required, with preference for national style policy debates.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree required.
• 2 years in college or high school debate as a competitor, judge, or coach, required.
• Strong research skills across a wide range of sources including books, journals, databases and the Internet.
• 2+ years in NDT/CEDA/ADA style policy debate preferred.
• Assists in day-to-day coaching and teaching of a nationally competitive intercollegiate policy debate team.

Responsibilities

• Teaching debaters in lecture, discussion, and one-on-one formats.
• Judging and critiquing practice debates and speeches.
• Assisting students with research and argument construction.
• Frequent weekend travel for coaching, judging, and oversight at tournaments.
• Assist with high school and college debate tournaments hosted by the team.
• Adhere to Liberty University policies and represent the University professionally.

Skills

Debate coaching

Research skills

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Education

Four-year college degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Internet search

Job description

The Assistant Coach for Debate helps achieve team objectives set by the Director of Debate, developing the debate skills of students in and out of lecture, while also participating in tournaments, both on campus and at other locations, throughout the academic year. The Assistant Coach assists during debate activities and events as needed to support the team, and performs other duties as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teaching debaters of various skill levels in lecture, discussion, and one‑on‑one formats
• Judging and critiquing practice debates and practice speeches.
• Assisting students with research and argument construction.
• Frequent weekend travel, including coaching, judging, and occasional oversight of students at tournament locations.
• Assist with high school and college debate tournaments hosted by the debate team.
• Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner.
• Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s Christian model and Mission - Training Champions for Christ.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

N/A

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Four-year college degree.
• 2 years in college or high school debate as a competitor, judge, or coach, required.
• Strong research skills across a wide range of research sources, including books, journals, electronic databases, and the Internet.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 or more years in NDT/CEDA/ADA style policy debate preferred.
• Assists in the day‑to‑day coaching and teaching responsibilities of a nationally competitive intercollegiate policy debate team of more than 30 students.
• Primary responsibility for developing argumentative strategies and managing team research within each division.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well‑articulated information.
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University.
• Strong organizational skills.

Computer skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and internet search engines.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Travel to other universities is required and will include transportation by car, mini‑bus, charter bus, and plane.
• May be required to sit to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus.
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
• Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The primary work environments are Liberty's debate office and classrooms at universities hosting debate tournaments.

They are well‑lighted, climate‑controlled facilities with low to moderate noise levels.

Working environment may include occasional outdoor events.

Driving Requirements

If the employee is required to travel in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel.

Proof of a valid driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance is required when driving in the performance of the employee’s position.

Time Type

Full time

Location

Onsite

Pay Range

Compensation is determined based on factors such as qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, along with University needs and external market conditions.

Market benchmarks may be used, as appropriate, in combination with internal equity to ensure pay is fair and aligned with the broader compensation structure.

The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance.

$44,000.00 - $55,000.00

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.

In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes.

It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.

All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes.

The University is a Christian religious‑affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements.

The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law.

Federal law creates an exception to the "religion" component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.

Before you begin an application, please review our application process.

Whatever capacity you work in at Liberty University, you’ll be playing a supportive role in our mission of Training Champions for Christ.

Liberty has a wide variety of engaging and challenging positions available that are waiting for committed men and women of integrity just like you.

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty University has been Training Champions for Christ since 1971.

As one of the nation’s largest Christian universities, Liberty employs a diverse community of faculty, staff, and student professionals who are united by a shared mission and commitment to excellence.

Through their dedication and service, Liberty employees help create a collaborative, faith-driven environment that supports meaningful work and lasting impact.